Sean Aylward went to the State House on May 6, 2014 to speak to the legislators and staffers about Bill S.2008. Bill S.2008 seeks to extend the parole eligibility for juvenile killers from 15 year to 35 years. Sean gave an impassioned speech to help launch the bill into its next step. The meeting opened the discussion and explained the Bill and its intended impact on the ruling.

Sean's Speech

The reason we’re here talking about life sentences is that there have been killings. Not accidents, or spur of the moment mistakes, but murder: Premeditated murder, murder in the first degree. Does everyone know why we’re here today? Why you’re here? Why I’m here? You’re here because your support is needed to right this injustice. I’m here to let you know the story of Beth Brodie and over 60 other victims from across the state. Beth was sentenced to DEATH. Sentenced by a killer with no authority to do so. While he ----- was sentenced to LIFE, a life that could now mean life outside of prison walls. Does this make sense to any of you? Victim’s families are left to wrestle with the aftermath of the tragedy, post-traumatic stress, depression, unyielding grief and visits to a grave, a stone that is supposed to represent the life of our loved one. And now the fear of parole.

Are we safe? Are you safe? The integrity of the justice system demands crime victims and their families come first. I’d like to read a few lines from our sister, Dawn’s, speech that she read to a packed auditorium on April 29th at District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett’s Domestic Violence Roundtable. Dawn says: “My Father had to testify about that night. It’s awful to see your parents cry. We listened to how my Dad tried to breathe life back into his daughter praying for help to arrive. We listened to how he sat there with her…feeling for her pulse….how it was getting weaker and weaker…..and then it was gone. No parent should ever lose a child, and absolutely no one should ever have to experience what he did.” Powerful right? This is coming from the young girl, 16 at the time, who was the first person at the murder scene. Those images stuck in her mind forever, perhaps safely tucked away into the corner somewhere so she can lead her life without being grief stricken and overwhelmed. Then the Massachusetts SJC grabs us by the tail and says “Wait! We want to ruin your lives…..again We want to torture you….again We want to re-traumatize you…..again”This is the cruel and unusual punishment. Retroactivity needs to addressed and quickly. Life without parole must remain an option for the most heinous of crimes. The July deadline is fast approaching. Parole hearings are being scheduled. You must act now. These killers had their trials --- and lost These killers had their automatic appeals ---- and lost The court system worked, it did its job. Justice was served --- or so we thought. The bill we’re talking about today is an enormous step in the direction of justice, and I commend everyone that has supported it thus far and the speed in which you’ve acted (though not as quickly as the up-skirting issue). Thirty-five (35) years before eligibility, then an extensive evaluation before parole consideration should pass with ease. Public opinion is already on your side. Supporting this bill, and future legislation on this issue sends a strong message to your constituents, one they will not soon forget. Say it out loud: “I SUPPORT VICTIM’S RIGHTS” It sounds good right? Since the Christmas Eve ruling, I’ve told Beth’s story to hundreds and hundreds of people. They all say the same things: “How can they do this?” “How did this happen?”“Who, in their right mind, supported this ruling?” People are outraged about paroling juvenile killers, and you have the power to fix it. The Supreme Court only removed the term “mandatory” from life sentences for juvenile killers. Massachusetts made it entirely illegal. The Governor states: “Recidivism is up, reintegration programs are not working.” Does paroling juvenile killers still sound like a good idea? The Massachusetts SJC based their ruling on brain science. Science that states the juvenile brain is not fully developed until age 25. This assumes all brains develop at the exact same rate and to the same level. If this is true, then explain the child prodigy! 13yr old Ruth Lawrence graduated from the University of Oxford. Maybe I should call in “myth busters." The Supreme Court ruling and Massachusetts’ interpretation to act retroactively unfairly exposes all juvenile murder cases in an effort to separate accomplices from actual killers. Do we need a law to do that? A juvenile who may have been over sentenced due to mandatory sentencing could have handled with clemency actions by the Governor. Instead they were all painted with the same broad brush, forcing my family to re-live the worst days of our lives. I’m asking you now, support this bill and future legislation related to it Do the right thing. Do the right thing for justice. Do the right thing for BETH BRODIE.